Pump Station Fails, Killing Fish in Cary

Aug. 18–CARY — Failed electrical parts at a sewage-pumping station caused 94,579 gallons of untreated waste to escape from a manhole near an unnamed tributary of Middle Creek, Cary officials said Wednesday.

Workers discovered the overflow about 8 a.m. Monday during a routine check of the pump station, which was last visited Friday, according to a news release from the town of Cary. Crews also discovered that the pump station’s automated alarm system was affected by the electrical failure.

Crews replaced a surge arrestor as well as several fuses in the station’s control system, officials said. The station was back in operation about 8:30 a.m., said Sam Tingler, utility systems maintenance manager.

State environmental officials were notified of the spill, and Cary crews flushed the affected area with 369,000 gallons of dechlorinated water, according to the news release and Tingler.

More than 200 small dead fish, most 1 to 3 inches long, were removed from the site near Holly Brook Drive in southern Cary.

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